Tuesday, July 26

Daily WHUFC News - 26th July 2016

Carroll's back with a bang
WHUFC.com

Andy Carroll marked his return to the West Ham United team with a bang,
waiting just nine minutes to score the opening goal in Saturday's 3-0 win
over German side Karlsruher SC.

Currently going through his first full pre-season since signing for the
Hammers, Carroll missed the opening two games of the Austria tour to
concentrate on his work on the training ground.

Having returned to the pitch at the weekend, the 27-year-old forward cannot
wait to score more goals and hit the ground running in 2016/17.

He explained: "It was good to get an hour in on Saturday, and good to get a
goal and our first win of pre-season as well," he said.

"The results don't matter at this time of year but it's obviously still nice
to win. All the work the lads have been putting in over the last couple of
weeks has been great.

"We created plenty on Saturday. We got enough crosses in and enough chances
and I think the team going forward, and in defence too, is very good. "For
my goal, Sofiane passed it wide to Enner. He knows where I'm going to stand
by now, and he just dinked it to the back post for me to get my head on it."

The action starts for real on Thursday with the UEFA Europa League third
qualifying round first leg at Slovenian side NK Domzale and Carroll says his
pre-season regime has left him in the perfect place to show what he can do.
He continued: "We've had five games now so I think we're ready to get it
started. It's important that we had those games to get everyone fit, and the
training has been hard as well so the lads are looking forward to Thursday.
"I feel good. Missing the two games earlier in Austria was important for me
to do my own work and regime to get myself fit. Obviously it showed with the
goal and the 65 minutes on Saturday."

The one downside to the victory over Karlsruher was an injury sustained by
Aaron Cresswell and Carroll echoed the thoughts of his teammates in hoping
the problem isn't as bad as it first looked. He added: "Hopefully the scan
results come back and show the injury to not be as bad as first thought.
We'll just have to wait to see how it is."

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Cresswell lay-off confirmed
WHUFC.com

Aaron Cresswell faces up to four months out with a knee ligament injury
Left-back was hurt in a challenge in Saturday's pre-season win over
Karlsruher SC
Manuel Lanzini being assessed after being hurt on Olympic duty with
Argentina

West Ham United can confirm that Aaron Cresswell will be out of action for
three to four months after suffering a knee ligament injury. The left-back
was hurt in a challenge during Saturday's pre-season victory over German
side Karlsruher SC in Austria. Head of Medical and Sports Science Stijn
Vandenbroucke explained that Cresswell had undergone a scan and will consult
a specialist in central London early next week. The medical team will then
take a decision whether or not the defender requires surgery. "Whatever
course of action we decide to take, Aaron faces a period of rest, followed
by treatment and rehabilitation and he will be out for a period of between
three and four months," said Vandenbroucke.

The Head of Medical and Sports Science also gave an update on Manuel
Lanzini, who suffered a knee injury in Argentina's 2016 Rio Olympic Games
warm-up fixture with Colombia at the weekend. "We are in close contact with
Manuel and the AFA (Argentine Football Association), who have started a
late-release replacement procedure with the IOC (International Olympic
Committee)," said Vandenbroucke. "Until he has been assessed by the IOC, he
cannot be replaced, but after this process has been completed we want him to
return to England to be assessed by our own medical staff as soon as
possible."

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Aaron Cresswell: West Ham defender out for four months with knee injury
BBC.co.uk

West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell has been ruled out for up to four months
with a knee ligament injury. The 26-year-old left-back was hurt in
Saturday's pre-season win over German club Karlsruher. The Hammers said
Cresswell would see a specialist "early next week" when a decision would be
taken on whether surgery would be required. Cresswell, who joined from
Ipswich in 2014, played in 37 league games as West Ham finished seventh last
season.

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Cresswell out for up to four months
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 25th July 2016
By: Staff Writer

There was some terrible news for Slaven Bilic this afternoon after full back
Aaron Cresswell was ruled out of action for up to four months. Head of
Medical and Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke confirmed that Cresswell -
who was injured as the result of a reckless tackle by Karlsruher midfielder
Grischa Promel - is unlikely to return to action until November, having
damaged knee ligaments. Whatever course of action we decide to take, Aaron
faces a period of rest, followed by treatment and rehabilitation," reported
Vandenbroucke via whufc.com. "He will be out for a period of between three
and four months."

Cresswell, who joined West Ham from Ipswich in the summer of 2014 has barely
missed a first team game since, having made 89 first team appearances for
the Hammers in the last two seasons.

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Brady confirms wrap installation dates
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 25th July 2016
By: Staff Writer

The Olympic Stadium wrap will be in place for the visit of Bournemouth on 21
August, it has been confirmed. Vice-chair Karren Brady tweeted this
afternoon in order to confirm that the material wrap will be installed ahead
of the Cherries' visit to the OS next month - West Ham's first home Premier
League fixture at the stadium. However the two giant video screens - a
last-minute alternative to the shelved full digital wrap that was rejected
at the planning stage - will not be erected until Sunderland visit E20 on 22
October, several months later than initially planned The finishing touches
to the stadium have been going ahead in recent days, with more claret and
blue-branded being installed in recent days. That includes the giant 'West
Ham' sign that will overlook the entrance to the island and other finsihng
touches that have been left until the last possible moment.

West Ham play their first game at their new home next week, on Thursday 4
August against Domzale in the Europa League. Juventus visit three days later
for United's final pre-season friendly before the Premier League kicks off a
week later.

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2015/16 in review: May
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 25th July 2016
By: Graeme Howlett

Join us as we take a look back at the 2015/16 season through the eyes of
KUMB Editor Graeme Howlett, who penned a weekly column for the Echo
newspaper throughout the campaign.

Today we look back at May in the final part of our season review...

1 May

Mark Noble might not be good enough to represent England at this summer's
European Championships, but he proved to be the difference as West Ham
United ran riot at the Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon. Noble's chances of
representing his country in France this summer all but disappeared the
moment England's myopic manager, Roy Hodgson, scoffed at the prospect of
including the in-form 28-year-old in his squad. However that particular
disappointment hasn't prevented the midfielder from hitting the form of his
life; Noble added to his pair of penalties against Watford at the Boleyn
last weekend with a second brace in seven days against West Bromwich Albion,
taking his personal tally for the season to seven goals. Cheikou Kouyate
grabbed West Ham's other goal as they ran out 3-0 winners against Tony
Pulis' side, thereby maintaining United's slim hopes of qualifying for the
Champions League - although a far more realistic target is fifth spot, which
will require Slaven Bilic's squad finishing above Manchester United. Whilst
Saturday's success was just the latest in a long line of impressive wins on
the road this season (seven so far), it was also a record-breaking victory.
The three points took West Ham to 59 for the season, two more than the
club's previous record over the course of a 38-game league campaign (57,
recorded by Harry Redknapp's 1988/99 squad). It also extended the club's
unbeaten Premier League run to ten games - another record sequence since
those particular records began in 1992.

And with a goal difference of +17 going into the final three matches of
2015/16 the campaign, West Ham are also on course to record their first
positive GD in the Premier League era. In fact, you have to go all the way
back to the 'Boys of '86' to find the last West Ham team to end a season in
the top flight having scored more goals than they've conceded!

All of which bodes well for the forthcoming 2016/17 season, which West Ham
will begin at the Olympic Stadium later this year. Vice-Chairman Karren
Brady revealed this week that the club have already sold in excess of 50,000
season tickets for United's first season in Stratford, with thousands more
signed up to a waiting list.

That's an incredible achievement, given that it was initially feared West
Ham - whose existing stadium can hold just 35,000 - would be unable to fill
the 60,000-capacity venue on a regular basis. And there are even suggestions
that the current capacity - which has already been extended from an initial
54,000 - could be increased further to accommodate thousands more
spectators.

It's an exciting time for the club and it's fans, who can now begin to dream
of challenging the Premier League's elite for the first time in a generation
- or two!

8 May

West Ham United's supporters marked the final Saturday match at the Boleyn
Ground with a rousing and emotional chorus of 'Bubbles' ahead of the game.

However that was as good as it got for the 35,000 fans packed inside this
famous old ground, which closes for good next week, as the visitors breezed
to a surprising and most unexpected 4-1 win.

West Ham's first defeat at home in the Premier League since last August, it
was as comprehensive a win for the visitors as can be hoped for. 2-0 down at
the break West Ham were little better in the second 45, despite grabbing a
consolation goal, and got exactly what they deserved from the game -
absolutely nothing.

Slaven Bilic admitted during his post-match press conference that the team
carried "too many passengers". However the manager also bears some
responsibility having picked the wrong team for the occasion - where the
biggest problem was the selection, again, of Michail Antonio at right back.

A winger by trade, Antonio had a nightmare as the visitors attacked his side
of the field relentlessly - with great reward. Meanwhile James Tomkins, a
natural defender and someone with experience of playing on the right side of
defence, kicked his heels on the bench throughout.

Additionally, last season's leading goalscorer Diafra Sakho remained
alongside Tomkins until the hour mark - although he at least made some
impression when replacing loanee Victor Moses by contributing to West Ham's
only goal of the game on 68 minutes.

Whilst rumours of a fallout with Bilic have been strenuously denied by the
club, there is clearly something amiss with the once-prolific striker and it
would come as no shock were Sakho to move on to pastures new this summer.

That possibility probably won't concern Bilic or his employers unduly, for
they are committed to signing a big-name striker - or two - this summer to
herald the club's impending arrival at the Olympic Stadium.

However there is the small matter of a clash with Manchester United at the
Boleyn Ground before that happens - and Tuesday's night's match, which also
carries great significance in terms of Premier League placings, promises to
be a hugely sentimental affair.

For West Ham United FC's tenure of the Boleyn Ground ends after 112 years
this week, with the bulldozers set to move in later this summer. Many a tear
will be shed on Tuesday night as the fans fondly remember the years - and
the people - gone by.

It's almost 40 years to the day since my father first took me to the Boleyn
Ground for a Division One clash with Derby.

My team haven't won a great deal since then - but the move to Stratford will
at least offer West Ham United the opportunity to mix it up with the Premier
League's key players.

15 May

It was a hugely emotional night as West Ham United FC bade farewell to its
spiritual home, The Boleyn Ground, last Tuesday evening.

The club - plus several thousand misty-eyed fans - waved goodbye to E13
after 112 years with a star-studded show hosted by TV's Ben Shepherd and
Bianca Westwood, co-presenter of the KUMB.com Podcast.

And the team did their bit too, signing off with an unforgettable 3-2 win
against Manchester United, thus denying Louis Van Gaal's side a Champions
League berth and keeping alive the Irons' own hopes of qualifying for
Europe.

To do so, Slaven Bilic's side needed to equal or better Southampton's result
against FA Cup finalists Crystal Palace in their final fixture of the season
at Stoke on Sunday afternoon. And it all looked rosy at half time when the
Hammers led through Michail Antonio's ninth goal since joining the club for
£7million from Nottingham Forest.

However whilst much has changed at the Boleyn Ground this season, Bilic's
team upholds the long-held tradition of possessing the ability to
self-destruct - which, perhaps, is as key an ingredient of the much-vaunted
'West Ham way' as anything else.

Giannelli Imbula restored parity just ten minutes after the restart, much to
the annoyance of the manager who had seen his team waste a string of good
chances beforehand.

And with West Ham pushing forward in search of a winning goal, having
learned that Southampton were leading comfortable at St. Mary's, a Stoke
counter led to a corner that was nodded home by the less-than-prolific Mame
Biram Diouf, netting his fifth goal of a largely barren campaign.

Defeat meant the Hammers ended the season in seventh place; a position most
Hammers fans would have taken in August - but probably not since Christmas.
And whilst that means the club missed out on qualifying for the Europa
League automatically, there is still hope for continental football at the
Olympic Stadium next season.

For that to occur, The Irons simply need Manchester United to beat Crystal
Palace at Wembley in the FA Cup final next week. The Reds, having already
qualified for the Europa League will pass their spot down to the
seventh-placed team - i.e. West Ham - should they beat the Eagles.

And in a season when West Ham have beaten Arsenal, Manchester City,
Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool - three times - anything less
would seem a little unjust.

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Pearce backs Noble for England
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 25th July 2016
By: Staff Writer

Former Hammer Stuart Pearce believes that Mark Noble could finally be set to
win his first England cap. Pearce, who represented West Ham between 1999 and
2001 was manager of the England Under 21s when Noble was part of a very
successful squad. And he believes the United skipper is a good bet for
selection following the u veiling of Sam Allardyce as the new England boss.
"If you are asking me to throw a name out that has got good international
experience and who has not been near a squad yet, then I would say Mark
Noble," Pearce told Sky Sports. "He knows him first hand from West Ham. And
he may be a touch better as an international midfielder, in regard to game
management and that sort of thing, than he is as a Premier League player.
"He has a vast amount of experience, he leads West Ham, he has been captain
for a number of years and as I say, he is a top kid that is desperate to
play for England. "So he may be one if Sam has seen something in him at West
Ham and the fact that Sam has worked with him on a daily basis might be a
plus for Mark."

Noble, now 29, has represented England at youth level from Under 16 through
to Under 21, but is yet to receive a single full international cap. He was
captain of the Under 21s who finished runners-up to Germany in the 2009
European Championships

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West Ham set to move for a new left-back after Aaron Cresswell is ruled out
for four months
20:40, 25 JUL 2016 UPDATED 20:40, 25 JUL 2016
BY ADRIAN KAJUMBA
Cresswell suffered a serious knee injury in the Hammers' pre-season win over
Germans Karlsruher on Saturday
The M irror

West Ham are set to make a move for a new left-back after Aaron Cresswell
was ruled out for up to four months. Cresswell suffered a serious knee
injury in the Hammers' pre-season win over Germans Karlsruher on Saturday.
Scan results revealed the extent of the injury which will see the
26-year-old sidelined until the end of November. That could force boss
Slaven Bilic into the transfer market for cover. Cresswell will see a
specialist next week to see if he needs surgery on the injury.
The 26-year-old played 47 times for West Ham last season, scoring two goals

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